Chapter Seventeen Leaving the Mountain Pass

  Wu Jie was the pride of Wujiacun, and whenever something difficult happened, the people of Wujiacun would turn to him for help. Now, in this situation, it was even more so. Wu Qing's words reminded everyone, and they all looked at Wu Jie with eager eyes, hoping he would come up with a plan and save Wujiacun once again.

  The Liufeng Great Bandit's affair, Wu Ji had some hearsay, knew that it was a gang of cruel thieves, killing people and setting fires, plundering, not to mention. If the Liufeng bandits really came, Wu Family Village would be reduced to ashes, with no tiles left intact.

  Wu Jie discovered a suspicious place, that is, what in Wu's village was worth the attention of the notorious thieves?

  Bandits are after wealth and beautiful women, neither of which Wu Family Village possesses. Wu Family Village is a small mountain village deep in the mountains, with a total value of less than 1,000 taels of silver for the entire village. Why would the Flowing Wind Bandit gang go to such great lengths to come to Wu Family Village and rob it?

  If Wujiacun had a beautiful woman famous far and near, it's possible that the Flowing Wind Bandit would come. The problem is that among the few women with some charm in Wujiacun, only Yang Xiuxiu and Wu Xiaoniang are somewhat charming, but not to the extent of being known by the bandits.

  No money, no beautiful women, and no thieves will come; there is a hidden reason.

  "Ah Lang!"

  Just as Wu Ji was hesitating, a voice full of surprise sounded, and Yang Xiuxiu rushed up, her pretty face filled with anxiety. When she saw Wu Ji's face, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

  Wu Ji hugged Yang Xiuxiu's fragrant shoulders, sizing her up. All he saw was a face full of happiness, as if leaning against him was her greatest joy.

  "Wu Lang, I have something to tell you." Yang Xiuxiu lowered her voice and whispered in Wu Jue's ear, her eyes darting around, looking anxious.

  Wu Qi understood that she must have something to say in private, so he pulled Yang Xiuxiu aside. Wu Qing and the others were eager for Wu Qi to come up with a plan immediately, but they had to hold back their anxiety and let Wu Qi and Yang Xiuxiu walk away.

  Arriving at a deserted place, the joyful expression on Yang Xiuxiu's face disappeared in an instant, replaced by a look of anxiety: "Wu Lang, something bad has happened! Wu Liang has been rescued."

  "Wu Liang didn't die?" Wu Qi was somewhat surprised. Thrown into the bear's den, and even had his mouth stuffed shut, he still didn't die, this life is not ordinary, it's very big.

  "Yes!" Yang Xiuxiu's crescent-shaped eyebrows twisted together, forming a small moon shape: "Wu Liang didn't come back, and Big Brother was worried, so he went out to look for him. He actually found Wu Liang in a bear den and rescued him."

  Although Wu Liang is a prodigal son and has caused Wu Yuan to worry, after all he is his own son. Having not returned home for a long time, he must be worried and will go look for him.

  As for Wu Yan, Wu Ji had a good impression of him. He was an honest and kind-hearted farmer, without any malice, and also treated Wu Ji well. However, by saving Wu Liang this time, he had added another troublemaker.

  "Wu Lang, what do you think? If Wu Liang speaks out about that matter from back then, how can it be good?" Yang Xiu Xiu was extremely worried. That was a matter of murder, and if Wu Liang spoke out, who knows what kind of big trouble would arise.

  "What did Wu Liang say?" Wu Ji raised an eyebrow, not worried about this matter at all. If Wu Liang really spoke out, he would definitely be in the wrong, who asked him to harbor evil intentions and plot to rob and murder?

  "Wu Liang said he was caught by the Flowing Wind Thief and thrown into a bear's den, and that's when the village became uncontrollable. Gathering our things, we'll leave as soon as you return, to escape with our lives." Yang Xiuxiu said angrily: "This Wu Liang is truly a scourge! He can't even harm us, yet he's caused such panic in the Zhuang family! Wu Lang, quickly come up with a plan, don't let Third Uncle and the others leave."

  This departure is a farewell to one's hometown and will bring much suffering. A golden or silver house is not as good as one's own doghouse, Wu Family Village may be poor, but it is still home!

  "It doesn't matter!" Wu Ji finally understood the situation and smiled, "Don't worry, Wu Liang wouldn't dare to mention what happened that day. That's his guilty conscience, and he won't dare to speak of it again in the future. As for the Flowing Wind Bandit case, I'll go take care of it now."

  The two of them returned in harmony, and Wu Ji said to Wu Qing: "Third Uncle, don't be alarmed, this matter is just a one-sided word from Wu Liang. Whether or not the Flying Wind Great Thief will come is still uncertain. Let's go to Eldest Brother's house now and ask Wu Liang."

  "Hmm!" Wu Qing followed Wu Ji's lead, and a crowd of villagers accompanied him to Wu Yuan's home.

  It won't be long before they arrive, Wu Ji came for the first time with Yang Xiu Xiu to chase after Wu Liang. This is the second time he has come, but it's a big production, with people in front and back, making quite a commotion, startling Wu Yuan from afar.

  Wu Yan took a look and saw Wu Ji hurrying over, so he quickly went to greet him: "Ji'er, you've finally arrived! Please hurry and persuade Liang'er! The notorious outlaw is about to arrive, we need to flee, but he refuses to leave! Ji'er, as a scholar, please advise him."

  As he spoke, tears welled up in his old eyes, and he became very agitated.

  "The feelings of a loving father, nothing more than this!" Wu Ji looked at it with his eyes and felt moved in his heart. Although Wu Liang was a prodigal son, after all, he was Wu Yuan's own son, how could a father not worry?

  "Don't worry, uncle, I'll take care of this!" Wu Ji understood that this was all caused by Wu Liang. If he wanted to leave, it would be a strange thing. Perhaps, he wouldn't mind if everyone left, then he could seize the villagers' property for himself.

  "Thank you, Jier! Thank you, Jier!" Wu Yuan was overjoyed and hastily led the way in front.

  "Wu Liang!" Wu Jie strode in with one foot and let out a loud shout, like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day.

  "Wu Xiuciai, you...you...!" Wu Liang's voice came over, hesitantly and fearfully.

  "Come out!" Wu Jie shouted again, very powerful and majestic.

  "You, you, you... how did you come?" Wu Liang shrank back, coming out from the inner room, looking at Wu Jie with a fearful expression, like a mouse seeing a cat, constantly retreating backwards, his head bowed low, not daring to look at Wu Jie.

  Don't do things that go against your conscience, Wu Liang did something that went against his conscience, what he feared most was running into Wu Jie. Now, he couldn't wait to get away as soon as possible.

  "I'm asking you, have you seen the notorious Flying Wind Thief?" Wu Jie loudly questioned, ignoring Wu Liang.

  "No... it is, it is!" Wu Liang subconsciously was about to say he hadn't seen anything, fortunately his reaction was quick and he hastily changed what he was saying.

  "Hmph!" Wu Ji snorted, straightened his official demeanor, puffed out his chest, and raised his head. He said sternly, "Wu Liang, listen up! Thanks to the benevolence of Lord Zheng, I was promoted to be the chief clerk! Chief Clerk, do you know what that means? It's a ninth-rank official, a dignified ninth-rank official!"

  To intimidate Wu Liang, Wu Ji put on an air of authority, quite dignified, and indeed had some official prestige, but his body was too thin and weak, lacking a bit of majesty. If he were to improve his physique and become more robust, he would be even more intimidating.

  "A ninth-rank official? Really?" The villagers were shocked and stared at Wu Ji, finding it hard to believe. This morning, Wu Ji was still a commoner, but after a trip to the county town, he became a ninth-rank official.

  The ninth-grade official was the smallest official in the Song Dynasty, but that was also an official. Compared to these ordinary people, they were much higher, and it was a world of difference, so it's no wonder they were amazed.

  "It's true! It's true! I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears that Lord Zheng asked Wu Jie to be the chief clerk! Lord Zheng was very polite and repeatedly invited Wu Jie to be the chief clerk!" As soon as he mentioned this, Wu Qing became spirited, his eyes shining brightly, his face flushed with excitement, loudly boasting about Wu Jie.

  "We've seen Magistrate Wu!" The villagers, upon seeing an official, naturally became more subdued and the crowd of villagers hastened to pay their respects to Wu Qi.

  "Dismissed!" Wu Ji put on an official air, not to intimidate them, but to collect Wu Liang's, waving his hand.

  Yang Xiuxiu's face was full of astonishment, Wu Ji tightened his grip on her hand and hastily asked Wu Liang: "Wu Liang, did you hear that clearly? If you saw the Flowing Wind Bandit, I will report it to Lord Zheng and ask him to send troops to eliminate them! If not, if I report this and you haven't seen anything, you'll be punished and thrown into prison! Speak! Did you see or not?"

  "Wu Liang was already afraid of Wu Jie, and now that Wu Jie had been given an official title, he was even more intimidated. He stuttered as he spoke, and cold sweat broke out on his face. As a government official, Wu Jie was now untouchable; if anyone were to investigate him for his crimes of greed and murder, they would be in for a tough time."

  "Speak!"

  Although it is just one word, it is a thunderclap on the tongue, and it is indeed shocking.

  "I really saw it!" Wu Liang gritted his teeth, if he said he didn't see it, that would be a lie, and he wouldn't have the face to show himself. He was also a smooth talker, and quickly changed the subject: "The bandits said they were going to another village to plunder, our Wu family village is too poor, and there aren't any beautiful women, so they didn't want to waste their energy. They went east."

  It seems that Wu Jie couldn't help but praise Wu Liang, whose brain was quick-witted: "Hmmm! Since that's the case, then the Wu family village is safe! Wu Liang, let me tell you, from now on, if you don't behave and be filial to your uncle, and continue to cause trouble, just wait and see how I'll deal with you! As an official, it won't take much effort for me to discipline a scoundrel like you!"

  "Absolutely! Absolutely!" Wu Liang was also a shrewd person, knowing that Wu Jie had temporarily let him off the hook, his head nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

  "Thank you, Jie Er! Thank you, Jie Er!" Wu Yuan Ting heard in his ears and was delighted in his heart. He was grateful to Wu Jie. Wanting Wu Liang to study well was difficult, but which father wasn't hoping for that?

  The matter has been clarified and Wujiacun is safe. The villagers finally felt at ease, and the mighty official power of Wu Qi was broken in their hearts, becoming a topic of conversation for them during tea breaks.

  Wu Ji pulled Yang Xiuxiu aside and told her about going to the city, Yang Xiuxiu was overjoyed.

  Although the position of Zhūbù is small, it is still an official position. After bidding farewell to his humble life, he has a stable income and has also established a relationship with the Zheng County Magistrate, who has made promises to him, making it easier for Wu Ji to obtain honors and wealth.

  The two of them discussed it and handed over several mu of mountain fields to Wu Qing for cultivation. In the Song Dynasty, land was extremely precious, and without land, one could only be a tenant farmer. Moreover, Wu Jie didn't even collect rent, he just wanted Wu Qing to take care of it, so Wu Qing was naturally delighted.

  After doing all this, after eating the farewell wine of the villagers, Wu Ji led Yang Xiuxiu onto the road to Guixian County and walked out of the mountain pass.